Table 2. Baseline characteristics of 801 children with SAM, randomised to reduced or standard RUTF dose.
| Characteristic | n | Reduced RUTF | Standard RUTF |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, months | 801 | 13.3 ± 8.6 | 13.4 ± 8.9 |
| Male, % (n) | 801 | 49.5 (199) | 49.4 (197) |
| Weight, kg | 801 | 6.2 ± 1.2 | 6.2 ± 1.4 |
| Height, cm | 801 | 69.1 ± 7.4 | 69.1 ± 8.0 |
| MUAC, mm | 801 | 113 ± 7 | 113 ± 7 |
| WHZ | 801 | −3.1 ± 0.7 | −3.1 ± 0.7 |
| HAZ | 801 | −2.4 ± 1.3 | −2.4 ± 1.3 |
| WAZ | 801 | −3.5 ± 0.8 | −3.5 ± 0.8 |
| Admission criteria, % (n) | 801 | ||
| WHZ only | 27 (107) | 26 (102) | |
| MUAC only | 39 (156) | 38 (153) | |
| WHZ and MUAC | 35 (139) | 36 (144) | |
| Low birth weight, % (n) | 502 | 23 (60) | 21 (50) |
| Urban, % (n) | 801 | 15 (59) | 14 (54) |
| Health centre ≤30-minute return trip, % (n) | 801 | 39 (155) | 37 (149) |
| Caregiver’s age | 801 | 27.8 ± 7.6 | 27.6 ± 7.9 |
| Mother has no formal education, % (n) | 801 | 76 (305) | 75 (301) |
| HFIAS category, % (n) | 801 | ||
| Food secure | 88 (353) | 88 (350) | |
| Mild food insecurity | 9 (35) | 9 (34) | |
| Moderate or severe food insecurity | 3 (14) | 4 (15) | |
| Open defecation, % (n) | 801 | 77 (311) | 75 (298) |
All values are means ± SD unless otherwise indicated.
Abbreviations: HAZ, height-for-age z-score; HFIAS, Household Food Insecurity Access Scale; MUAC, mid-upper arm circumference; RUTF, ready-to-use therapeutic food; SAM, severe acute malnutrition; SD, standard deviation; WAZ, weight-for-age z-score; WHZ, weight-for-height z-score.